Saint Adrian and His Companions c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jacques Callot's "Saint Adrian and His Companions," an early 17th-century print. It’s quite small, but the scene feels intense – a figure is being pushed off a cliff into what looks like a sea monster! What do you see in this piece? Curator: This print, though diminutive, speaks volumes about the socio-political climate of religious persecution. Notice how Adrian, haloed and defiant, is juxtaposed with the men forcing him—agents of systemic oppression. How does Callot's composition frame martyrdom as an act of resistance against the status quo? Editor: So, it’s less about religious devotion and more about resisting power? Curator: Precisely. Consider the period's religious conflicts. This image challenges viewers to question authority and consider the cost of standing against injustice. It powerfully intertwines faith and rebellion. Editor: I see that now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Art gives us an opportunity to examine our values.